JP Nadda Highlights the Achievements of the Health Ministry

June 12, 2018

“We are saving nearly 12,000 mothers in 2015 (mid-year) as compared to 2012. Compared to 44,000 earlier annual maternal deaths, now there are 32,000 maternal deaths only.” This was stated by JP Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare during a press conference to highlight the achievements of 48 months of the Government. Nadda further said that India has registered a record 22 percent reduction in MMR since 2013, which is the highest percentage decline so far when compared to all the previous reductions in MMR as per the previous rounds of SRS. “India has met the MDG target for MMR of 139/lakh live births by achieving 130 by 2015. At this rate, we shall achieve SDG target of 70 by 2022, ahead of target timeline of 3030,” Nadda added. Ashwini Kumar Choubey and Anupriya Patel, Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare along with Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health) and Indu Bhushan, CEO, Ayushman Bharat Mission were also present at the press conference.

Nadda further stated that 10 States have already achieved the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) targets for MMR. The efforts of the government are paying off with Uttar Pradesh showing 30 percent decline in MMR since 2013. “Lifecycle approach and continuum of care framework under RMNCH+A umbrella have strongly contributed to India meeting MDG target for MMR reduction, Nadda said. Reiterating the commitment of the government, the Union Health Minister said India’s vision of Universal health Coverage is based on assured range of comprehensive primary care, linked to robust secondary and tertiary care being translated through Ayushman Bharat which spells out the country’s strategy of making universal healthcare a reality. “This will change the healthcare landscape in the country. We are moving as per the set timelines for implementing “Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Mission”. We shall be signing MoUs with 14 states very soon. Similarly, we shall convert 1.5 lakh primary health centers and sub-centers as Health and Wellness Centers. Approval has been given to 19,000 this year,” Nadda stated.

Addressing the conference, Nadda further said that the Government has given total flexibility to the states to choose their health system and how it suits them the best and further Government is ready to provide the financial support also. “Under free Drugs and Diagnostics Service Initiative medicine worth ₹14,000 crores have been disbursed in last 2.5 years,” Nadda added. He further said that under Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis program, more than 2.38 lakh patients have been benefitted. Nadda further said that the AMRIT outlets provide drugs for cancer, cardiovascular diseases including implants at 60-90 percent discount on prevailing market rates. These outlets have helped patients save ₹346.59 crores so far. The Health Minister also stated that Cabinet has approved 8 new AIIMS at Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Kalyani (West Bengal), Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Bathinda (Punjab), Guwahati (Assam), and Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh). Manoj Jhalani, AS & MD (NHM), RK Vats, Additional Secretary, Vandana Gurnani, Joint Secretary, along with the Health Secretaries and other senior officers of the Ministry were also present at the conference. – PIB